Trip To Eureka Fest

The BioAusable team participated in Lemelson-MIT’s EurekaFest Program, a multi-day, international celebration held the MIT campus designed to empower and inspire young innovators of all kinds. All of the InvenTeams there had worked on projects sponsored by the InvenTeam grant, the same that the BioAusable team received. During this time, the BioAusable team listened to presentations by inventors and scientists such as Ashok Gadgil and Stephen Quake, and had the opportunity to present their filter to students, teachers, and scientists all across America, along with one group of students from Beijing.

Matthew

Trip to Eureka Fest at MIT

My name is Alex am I am 16 years old. We had a blast at MIT. We slept in the dorms( not fun, it was way too hot!) and got to meet new people and make new friends. We showed our project and told people about it. Everyone seemed interested. Dr. Sherman came by and listen to us as we explained our project. He is the National Veterinary Science program Leader of the National Institute of Food Production and Substantiality.  He told us that the government knows of our project! That is scary!. This year I will be liaison. I am looking forward to be working on the project this year. I think it will be a great year.                                                                                                                                               Alex

Turbidity Meter May 17 2012

We called the LaMotte company about the turbidity meter. On Tuesday Endyne brought their calibration sample and we learned that our meter does not calibration properly. Our turbidity meter has been giving us three higher then we are supposed to have. Chris Lafountain went though with us how they do their water testing to see if it would help. they sent us a loaner meter and will repair ours. The loaner meter should arrive on Saturday.

Science fair 4/28/12

The BioAusable team went to the Regional Champlain Valley Scinece Fair at Plattsburgh State University. At the science fair, the BioAusable teams were split into two groups. Michael, Josh and Harrison were on the team that presented the sand filters. Michaela, Caleb and Tianza were on the team that presented the pre-filters. The teams were interviewed by the judges for 10-15 minutes. They asked questions about BioAusable and the filters. We took first place in the Engineering-Technology division as a tie between the two teams.
(MB)

Tuesday 17 2012 Video

Dosti and Melissa worked on the audition video at the Public Library. One of the librarians asked about the project and watched the video. She was very interested in the sand filters and gave us a contact in Boston who works with systems to develop clean water.

(include contacts for this label)

Monday 16 April 2012 Fire House Presentation

Michaela and Tianze spoke to the members of the Peru Fire Department about our project. They gave a 15 minute presentation about how our system works and fielded questions from the department members. Following the presentation, we videoed Michaela explaining the system for our audition video.

Visitor from Sierra Leone

We had a visitor from Sierra Leone who came by the fire house tonight. He was participating in a leadership conference at Plattsburgh State for African teenagers and heard of our project. We explained how the bio-sand filters worked and what we were doing to improve their operation. He was excited about the project and thought he would like to take the information back to the other teenagers and bring them back to see the project. He indicated they would be very useful as they drink water from just anywhere. He asked if we would send him the filter. We said we would send him the technology. We showed him each of the parts and he said he would be able to get everything.

This was live confirmation that our project would be useful.

Field trip to Keeseville Water Treatment Plant

On Friday March 30, the BioAusable team went to the Keeseville Water Treatment Plant to see their sand filters. They use three active sand filters to clean the water. They have turbidities of less than 0.03. They use air to circulate the course manufactured sand.

Mr. Benware talking about his plant

Caleb decides that he likes water treatment plants

We listen as we learn

Mr. Benware talks about the different places the water goes

Public relations for New York State Troopers

I have been with the water gathering group, three times, in the past eight days. A week ago, Sunday, March 18, my husband and I took a group to gather river water for the project. A state trooper, Officer Champagne, stopped by to see what we were doing. My husband spoke to her and explained  the project. The following Thursday, March 22, I took a group to gather water. During our time there another state trooper stopped by. Officer Houle came and checked out what we were doing. I  proceeded to explain the 4-H project. He thought it was very interesting. Fast forward to this afternoon, Sunday, March 25, I took another group to collect river water. During our time gathering, a state trooper's car slowed down, looked at us, then drove off. We assume it was the father, of some of the 4-H members, who knows about our project.  A while later, another state trooper slowed down, waved at us, then drove off.  I waved back. The kids mentioned that he had pulled a "U" y and was coming to see us.  I walked over to Officer Davies and explained what we were up to.  He found it to be quite interesting and we proceeded to have a short chat.  I felt I must blog this as I seem to be the Public Relations person for the New York State Troopers.

Contacted Clinton County Health Departement

We contacted the Clinton County Department of Health Division of Public Sanitation and spoke with Tim Simonette. He sent us these links for resources on Public Drinking Water Contaminants and Regulations. He also said he would send us an application packet that lists the requirements for local public drinking water supplies.

http://water.epa.gov/drink/standardsriskmanagement.cfm

http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/

http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/

http://www.clintoncountygov.com/Departments/Health/watersystems.html

Endyne

Endyne (water testing faciltiy) called back. They are unable to come talk to us at the Peru Fire House. They only have three employees and their work day is only until 4:30. They would need to get paid for coming to see us in the evenings or weekend and the company is not going to pay them time and mileage or give them compensational  time.  They invited a few in our group to their facility in Plattsburgh to learn about water testing. We could ask any questions there and we are welcome go anytime they are open.

Contacted Endyne- local testing facitlity

I called Endyne, a state certified water testing lab in Plattsburgh. They are very willing to talk to us about turbidity and how they do their testing. They will go over our testing procedures with us and make recommendations.

They will explain the different tests they do. 

They charge $15 for a water solids test to know what is in the water
They charge $11 for a turbidity test.

The woman I spoke with wondered if what we are seeing in our turbidity of 1.x (where x is variable) is really just some small particles of sand and not contaminates. She recommended a screen filter at the output. We talked about several options, especially recycled items.

We will need to test a piece of cotton that we boil/sanitize and put it on the inside of the filter at the output location. This will keep any "stray" sand from coming out. If it is inside the filter, it will limit external contaminates. It would need to get changed regularly. We will have to test to determine how regularly is needed. Externally, we would replace every other day at minimum.

For initial testing we can see if this makes a difference by having the water poured through a cloth before we put it in the testing bottle.

(ms/admin)

VideoTelecon Meeting Notes

We had a video conference with Justin Lai. the following members were present: Josh B., Michael B., Tianze Z., Jesse M., Vienna A., Alex R., Grace S., Liam S., Gideon S., Caleb C., and Harrison., K.

Caleb gave the fabrication report and MIT asked what we planned to bring to the Eureka Fest. Also MIT asked if we can put documentation up on the web page.

Liam gave the testing report and MIT wanted us to share our progress in the blog.

Harrison did the accounting report. MIT received most of the reports, but needs the reciept from Jan 18 for Adirondack Hardware. Harrison dis not get this one.

Jesse gave the web report. MIT recommended the we put up a google map with member location and places that we are involved in.

Vienna gave the photography report. MIT said we needed more photos and videos for the website.

Alex gave the personel report.

MIT recommendations are:

• more blog entries, 
• we need to put up videos and more photos, 
• work on fundraising for Eureakfest if we need it
  think about how to display the material for the Eureakfest,
• get the system up and running and determine water flow rates. 

Matt mentioned that the team will be presenting at the Champlain Valley Science Fair on April 21, 2012. (Alex R.)

Thank you notes

5 Thank you notes signed for MIT visit, Professor Mihuc for lab space and for tour, Rulfs Orchard for donation of sand, and the Grange for use of their building for our original space.

Graymont Donating Sand

Graymont Quarry called and let us know they have approved our request for a donation of sand. They will provide 1000lbs of manufactured sand for project use. We have been asked to pick it up from Graymont. (admin)

Rose Penwell's reply to my questions

HI Mat- 

I am sorry for the delayed response. I am in India at the moment and have 
not had access to a computer. 

Yes we do have the materials you have listed. (plastic tubs, a bicycle rim, 
and flexible 
plastic pipe for moving water from tub to tub) If you have any other 
questions please let me know. 

Blessings and Merry Christmas, 

Rose 



On Dec 18, 2011, at 6:43 PM, mat@willex.com wrote: 

> Gretings Rose Penwell, 
> My name is Mat Longware and I am the liason for the BioAusable Water 
> Filter team in Essex County, and Clinton Couny NY. I will be contacting 
> you 
> throughout the duration of our project. I would like to know what 
> materials 
> you have avaialable at your care center in the Philippines to build a 
> water 
> filter. For example do you have plastic tubs, a bicycle rim, and flexible 
> plastic pipe for moving water from tub to tub? 
> 
> I heard that there were floods and mudslides in the Philippines. I hope 
> that you are safe. 
> 
> Sincerely, 
> Mat 

29 DECEMBER - Guava helps with E.Coli?

On December 29, the testing team was assigned herbs to research that helps get rid of E.coli. Austin R. did some research and found that Guava extract (I think from the leaves) can be effective against E.coli.  Here is a document that provides more information on Guava:

http://www.dweckdata.com/Published_papers/Psidium_guajava.pdf

According to http://www.stuartxchange.com/Bayabas.html, Guava is "widely distributed in the Philippines. Common in backyards. Well-known because of its edible fruit."  Austin R. plans to research Guava more and will provide an update. (A.R.)

THURSDAY 1 DEC 2011

Video conference with MIT

Justin Lai gave us ideas regarding several subjects, such as communication and blogging. Department leaders gave him updates on what their latest projects and assignments were.

Administrative Meeting

Discussed resumes, monthly meeting schedule, departments, communication, our blog, MIT project page, accountability, and color of shirt.

Additional Details:

-       Resume paperwork was handed out to those who have not received it yet and all were reminded to get their resumes done.

-        Discussed how Monthly MIT video conferences will be the first Thursday of the month at Clinton or Essex County Coop. Ext (alternate locations). Team Meeting/Administration meeting to follow.

-        Reviewed departments and adjusted names. Art department should be thinking of a logo. Drafting team should meet this week to learn CAD.

-        Discussed importance of a good system of communication. All were asked to make sure correct email addresses are listed on the sign in sheet and to check email at least twice a week. All were asked to keep the BioAusable blog (http://bioausableproject.blogspot.com/ ) up to date by adding summaries after every meeting. Login and password were given out and a demonstration of how to edit the blog was given.

-        All were asked to preview MIT project page (http://lmit-it-2012-team-info.blogspot.com)

-        Ideas for repercussions for not getting tasks done by due dates were discussed. Team work, asking for help, and accountability were discussed. An idea: when a deadline is missed, the member should explain why the deadline was not met at the next monthly meeting.

-        Voted on color for the shirt. Final consensus was blue.
 

Visited Lab Facility at Plattsburgh State University, Beaumont Hall

Room measurements were taken and modifications discussed.

Questions explored: (Anyone who was there please update)

-        How should we build the structure that will hold the fish tank?

-        Will the pre-filters hang from fish tank structure? How should we make the pre-filter structure hang--should we use rope, wire, etc?

-        Should we use a pulley, bicycle wheel, or something else to hang the buckets and move the buckets up and down to aerate the water?

-        How should we strengthen the bucket handles--will they be strong enough once the sand is in it to hold them?

Future meetings/things to think about: Dr. Mihuc will be giving us e coli testing equipment which will be our first task for the testing team. You will need to make a list of possible ways we could get e. coli out of the water using no cost options. We will then begin to test the ideas. Dr. Mihuk will give all of us a tour of the Institute and the testing facility later in the month.
(M.R.)

TUESDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2011

A Representative from Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Team Advisors met with Dr. Tim Mihuc, director of the Lake Champlain Research Institute, to secure lab space at the university for water testing. (admin)

THURSDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2011

On November 17th our team met at the Graymont Quarry in Plattsburgh, New York, where we discussed what type of sand and gravel we needed to fill our pre-filters with. After a discussion, we decided to use the triangular sand, as it is uneven and would fit our project aims better. For example, instead of the more compact type of sand, the uneven triangular sand would allow water to flow in and around it, thus helping the aims we hope our pre filters will be able to support. (mc)